The Scottish football league system is a series of generally connected leagues for Scottish football clubs.
49-582: The Scottish Football League Second Division was the third tier of the Scottish football league system between 1975 and 2013. The Second Division was created in 1975, as part of a wider reconstruction of the Scottish Football League (SFL). Prior to 1975, the SFL had been split into two divisions (Division One and Division Two). The effect of the reconstruction was to split these two divisions into three, with
98-753: A UEFA club competition on one occasion. In 2006, Gretna reached the final of the Scottish Cup whilst competing in the Scottish Second Division and were beaten by Heart of Midlothian . The winner of the Scottish Cup would normally qualify for the UEFA Cup , but because Hearts had already qualified for the UEFA Champions League through their league ranking in the Scottish Premier League ,
147-569: A national level, a revised financial distribution model, and the possibility of a promotion/relegation play-off between the top two divisions. The current system has been in place since 2013–14 , when the Scottish Professional Football League was formed by a merger of the Scottish Premier League (tier 1) and the Scottish Football League (tiers 2–4). At the same time, the Lowland Football League (tier 5)
196-457: A new club, Gretna 2008 , who were accepted into the East of Scotland Football League on 11 July 2008. Whilst sharing the same fanbase and a similar name, the new club has no legal connection with the original Gretna Football Club. An amateur club called Gretna Green had existed in the town in the 19th century, but were bankrupt by the 1920s. This left the area without a team until Gretna Football Club
245-453: A pyramid system began in 2008 under the tenure of Scottish Football Association (SFA) chief executive Gordon Smith , with discussions between the SFA and the regional and junior leagues. On 7 May 2013 Scottish Premier League clubs unanimously agreed on the introduction of a pyramid structure to Scottish football along with the reintroduction of a single governing body for the 42 clubs competing at
294-516: A victory and one point each for a drawn game. In the event of two teams finishing with the same number of points, the respective teams' position is decided on goal difference . If goal difference is equal too, the team who has scored the most goals is placed higher. Most players in the Second Division were part-time professionals. b. ^ Team failed to gain promotion via play-offs Scottish football league system The Scottish system
343-687: Is also affiliated to the SAFA. As of 2022–23 there are 360 teams – in 12 geographic leagues containing a total of 31 league divisions – playing Saturday football under a regular August–May season. In addition there are 137 teams playing in four specialist Saturday Morning leagues (including one for Glasgow Colleges Amateur Football Association ) in Dundee and Glasgow , plus 22 teams playing in Strathclyde Evangelical Churches Football League . There are also 90 teams playing in
392-491: Is more complicated than many other national league systems, consisting of several completely separate systems or 'grades' of leagues and clubs. As well as senior football there is junior football, and also amateur football and welfare football. In senior football in Scotland there is one national league, the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), which has four divisions. There are also several regional leagues (most notably
441-769: The Scottish Cup , along with clubs in other divisions who are full members of the Scottish Football Association. Up to three non-SFA members can qualify for the Scottish Cup each season by winning the East, South or West leagues, or the East, South and West Cup-Winners Shield. All 42 SPFL clubs compete in the Scottish League Cup , along with the Highland and Lowland champions, and one additional invited team. The Scottish Challenge Cup features 30 SPFL clubs from outside
490-456: The Division Three , Division Two and Division One titles in successive seasons from 2005 to 2007. During their seasons of successive promotions they scored 297 goals, 130 in the 2004–05 season alone. Gretna were also runners-up in the 2006 Scottish Cup . Gretna's 3–0 win in the semi-final against Dundee made them the first team from the third tier of Scottish league football to reach
539-654: The Highland Football League and since 2013 the Lowland Football League ). From 2014–15 , a promotion/relegation play-off between the two regional leagues and the SPFL national league was introduced for the first time. Two clubs based in England play in the senior Scottish system - Berwick Rangers in the Lowland League and Tweedmouth Rangers in the East of Scotland League . A small number of English amateur clubs in
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#1733085061146588-633: The SJFA East Region of 19 clubs; and the SJFA North Region of 34 clubs (4 clubs withdrew for 2022–23). This represents a total of 53 teams across 3 divisions. The term 'junior' refers not to the age of the players but the level of football played. These two regions joined the pyramid system at tier 6 below the Highland League in 2021–22. Members of the SJFA, consisting of 114 teams in total from
637-567: The Scottish League in 1993 and 1999. To help boost their later application, they played a Rangers XI in a game to raise money for victims of the Lockerbie bombing . Gretna won 2–1 against a strong team. In 2002, Gretna were elected to the Scottish Football League at the third attempt, taking the place of Airdrieonians . The club was soon taken over by Brooks Mileson and with his financial input Gretna's on-field fortunes improved. Gretna won
686-462: The Scottish Professional Football League and are played on a regional not a national basis. The Lowland League was created in 2013–14 and runs in parallel with the Highland League to form level five on the pyramid. Since 2014–15 the two league winners have played off against each other, with the winner then playing the team finishing 10th in League Two in a promotion/relegation play-off for a place in
735-592: The Third Division due to their financial struggles, with the Scottish Football League threatening expulsion should a takeover not be completed within a week. After a takeover bid fell through on 1 June, the administrators confirmed the following day that they would look to sell Raydale Park to someone who will use the site for something other than football. Gretna resigned from the Scottish Football League on 3 June. Near neighbours Annan Athletic won
784-471: The West of Scotland Football League (80 clubs, 5 divisions). At end of season, round robin promotion play-offs take place between the winners of feeder leagues of the Highland and Lowland League respectively (subject to each club meeting licensing criteria) for promotion to tier 5. At the start of the 2024–25 season , this totalled 291 teams across 20 divisions. All clubs in tier 5 and above automatically enter
833-726: The East of Scotland League, though they initially played their matches at the Everholm Stadium in Annan . The club returned to Raydale Park in May 2009 which it now leases from the Raydale Partnership, a community group of which Gretna Supporters Society is a member. This is a list of seasons from the 1987–88 season from their time in England's Northern Football League and later the Northern Premier League and from 2002 to 2003, when
882-535: The Premiership, Under 21s teams, and four from the Highland and Lowland leagues. The SFA South Region Challenge Cup is for all 164 non-league clubs in the Lowland area (excluding reserve or B teams). The SFA North Region Challenge Cup existed between 2007 and 2009. There are also a variety of smaller cup tournaments at league and regional level. The Scottish Junior Football Association (SJFA) manages two regions:
931-463: The SFL and SPL merged to form the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). The SPFL named its third tier as Scottish League One , which effectively replaced the Second Division. From 1994 until 2013, the Second Division consisted of ten teams. From 1994 to 2006, the top two teams were promoted to the First Division and the bottom two were relegated to the Third Division . From 2006 to 2013,
980-631: The SPFL. Below the Highland League is the Midlands League (20 clubs); North Caledonian Football League (12 teams, including one reserve team); and the North Region League (31 clubs, 2 divisions). Below the Lowland League is the East of Scotland Football League (58 clubs, including one reserve team, 4 divisions); the South of Scotland Football League (12 clubs, including one reserve team); and
1029-522: The SPL was against Falkirk which ended in a 4–0 defeat for Gretna. They continued to struggle, only gaining four points in their first 12 games and having to wait until 22 September 2007 for their first win in the SPL, defeating Dundee United 3–2 at Fir Park . Far worse news was that during this time the club's financial situation became dire. The club had accumulated debts of nearly £4m, and owner Brooks Mileson fell ill and withdrew his financial support for
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#17330850611461078-569: The Senior development structure (the Aberdeenshire & District League ). In 2020, as part of a long process to form an integrated footballing pyramid structure , all 63 West Region Junior clubs decided to depart and join the newly founded West of Scotland Football League , a feeder to the Lowland League. Between 2017 and 2020 more than half of the East Region clubs departed the junior ranks, joining
1127-529: The Summer Saturday leagues (season 2022), most of which are located in the Highland; 244 teams are in the Sunday League system. 60 clubs 14 clubs ↓ TBC relegation spots 14 clubs ↑ TBC promotion spots ↓ TBC relegation spots 14 clubs ↑ TBC promotion spots ↓ TBC relegation spots 9 clubs ↑ TBC promotion spots 9 clubs Gretna F.C. Gretna Football Club
1176-544: The club (Mileson never fully recovered from his health problems and died on 3 November 2008). A confused management situation did not help. Whilst Rowan Alexander was officially still manager , Davie Irons was in control of the team. On 6 November 2007, Gretna officially sacked Alexander as manager and formally installed Irons in his position. On 18 February 2008 it was revealed that Gretna staff, including players, had not received their wages on time. Irons and assistant manager Derek Collins both resigned from their posts
1225-613: The club chairman. Coach Davie Irons stepped up to the manager's position and Gretna's form dipped; second-placed St Johnstone went on a good run, leaving Gretna with only a one-point lead going into the final day of the season. Gretna beat Ross County 3–2 with a last-minute goal by James Grady , ensuring promotion to the Scottish Premier League. During the 2007–08 season , Gretna had to play all their home games at Motherwell 's home ground of Fir Park because Raydale Park did not meet SPL standards. Their first game in
1274-535: The club fell into severe financial difficulties when businessman Brooks Mileson , its main financial backer, withdrew funds due to ill health. The club was forced to dissolve in 2008 due to money issues. Despite being based in Scotland, the club participated in amateur and semi-professional leagues in English football from 1947 until they were elected to the Scottish Football League at the third attempt in 2002. Relying heavily on substantial financial support from Mileson,
1323-517: The club was admitted to the Scottish Football League to 2007–08, when the club resigned its membership from the league and was liquidated following financial difficulties. The list details Gretna's record in major league and cup competitions, and the club's top league goal scorer of each season where available. Top scorers in bold were also the top scorers in Gretna's division that season. Records of minor competitions are not included. Gretna qualified for
1372-454: The club were promoted through the Scottish leagues from the Third Division to the Scottish Premier League in less than five years. The club also reached the 2006 Scottish Cup Final , losing in a penalty shoot-out to Hearts . Gretna struggled badly in the SPL and the club were placed in administration after Mileson withdrew his support due to illness. At the end of the season, all of
1421-437: The club's staff were made redundant and the club were initially relegated to the Third Division due to their inability to guarantee fulfilment of their forthcoming fixtures . After this demotion, the one remaining offer to buy the club was withdrawn. The club resigned their place in the Scottish Football League on 3 June 2008 and were formally liquidated on 8 August. The club's supporters' trust then decided to establish
1470-441: The final. Gretna lost to Heart of Midlothian in the final on penalties after a 1–1 draw. As Hearts had finished second in the Scottish Premier League and had therefore qualified for the UEFA Champions League , Gretna became the first team from the third tier of the Scottish league to qualify for the UEFA Cup . Gretna faced League of Ireland side Derry City in the second qualifying round, but lost 7–3 on aggregate, losing
1519-463: The first division of the Northern Premier League . During this period, the club featured in the FA Cup , becoming the first club based in Scotland to appear in the competition proper since Queens Park in 1887. They managed to take Rochdale to a replay in 1991 and gave Bolton Wanderers a scare in 1993 before being beaten. The club saw its future in Scottish football and applied twice to join
Scottish Football League Second Division - Misplaced Pages Continue
1568-578: The first leg 5–1 at Fir Park , Motherwell ( Raydale Park was deemed unsuitable for European football). Gretna had also been promoted to the First Division in 2006, and for much of the 2006–07 season, they led the division, with a margin of 12 points at one stage. Manager Rowan Alexander was forced to step down in March 2007 due to unspecified health problems, though he later claimed that he had had no medical issues and had been asked to take time away by
1617-475: The following day. Gretna director of football Mick Wadsworth , assisted by Iain Scott and Andy Smith , took charge of first-team affairs. The club went into administration on 12 March 2008 after Mileson's withdrawal of support. Under SPL regulations, this resulted in an automatic ten point deduction, meaning they had a total of only six points from 28 games on the date of entering administration. The SPL agreed to pay
1666-482: The former owner's son were also made redundant. Gretna were mathematically relegated from the SPL on 29 March 2008 after being defeated 2–0 by St Mirren at Love Street , and broke the SPL's low attendance record on 5 April 2008 in their game against Inverness , when just 431 turned up for the match. They won their final SPL game, a home match against Hearts 1–0 with a goal from Gavin Skelton , which meant they finished
1715-543: The lowest levels of the game, based on or around the Anglo-Scottish border , also compete in Border Amateur Football League for geographical and travel reasons. Until 2013 Scottish football had no pyramid league system , and as a result it was impossible for clubs in regional leagues to progress into the national leagues, unless a vacancy opened in the Scottish Football League . The final example of this
1764-481: The players' wages until the end of the 2007–08 season, ensuring that the club were able to complete its fixtures in the SPL. Administration led to cost-cutting and redundancies; club captain Chris Innes was made redundant on 25 March 2008, with the club explaining that he had "attracted interest from other clubs". The following day, 22 players, including eight members of the senior squad, along with coaching staff and
1813-659: The pyramid later in July. Again separate from the above, and generally agreed to lie 'below' the senior and junior levels, are the hundreds of clubs in membership of the Scottish Amateur Football Association which oversees 50 leagues - although this includes Sunday League football and futsal competitions. Prestige centres around the historic Scottish Amateur Cup . A number of Senior and Junior clubs run reserve teams in Amateur football. Student and Police football
1862-416: The season with 13 points, narrowly avoiding setting a record low points total for the Scottish top-flight. Even without the point deduction, Gretna would have still been relegated by a 17-point margin behind Kilmarnock . In early 2008 it was revealed by the administrator , Wilson Field of Sheffield , that Gretna had creditors of nearly £4m and assets ( Raydale Park ) of £812,000. HM Revenue and Customs
1911-552: The senior East of Scotland Football League which is also below the Lowland League. The remaining clubs in the East Premiership South made the same move to the East of Scotland League for season 2021–22, and the East Premiership North clubs formed the Midlands League at tier 6 below the Highland League. The North Region also joined the pyramid structure at the same level. The northern leagues at that level entered
1960-526: The top flight named the Premier Division , second tier the First Division , and a new third tier was created known as the Second Division. A fourth tier, known as the Third Division , was created in 1994. In 1998, the Premier Division clubs broke away from the SFL to form the Scottish Premier League (SPL). The Second Division continued as before, but it was now the second level of the SFL. In 2013,
2009-517: The top team in the Second Division was promoted to the First Division , while the clubs in 2nd through 4th places entered an end of season play-off with the 9th placed side in the First Division. The bottom club was automatically relegated to the Third Division and the 9th placed club entered an end of season play-off with the second, third and fourth placed clubs from the Third Division. The teams played each other four times with three points for
Scottish Football League Second Division - Misplaced Pages Continue
2058-652: The two regions as well as the East of Scotland League and West of Scotland League (5 teams are in abeyance for 2022–23), participate in the Scottish Junior Cup . Up to three non-SFA members can qualify for the Scottish Cup each season by winning the Midlands League, North Superleague, or the Junior Cup. Banks O' Dee also enter senior tournaments in the Aberdeenshire Cup and Shield , and run an Under-20s team in
2107-461: The vote to replace Gretna in the Scottish league. With no ground, staff, players or a competition to play in, the club's dissolution was inevitable and the club was formally liquidated by the administrators on 8 August. The Gretna Supporters Society, (a Supporters' trust ) formed a new club, Gretna 2008 on 2 July 2008 and applied to join both the East of Scotland Football League and the South of Scotland Football League . They were accepted into
2156-580: Was a Scottish professional football club based in the town of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway , close to the border between England and Scotland, that last competed in the Scottish Premier League , the then top flight of Scottish football . Nicknamed the Black and Whites or the Anvils the club was founded in 1946, and had rapid and continual success in the mid-2000s, and reached the Scottish Cup Final in 2006, but
2205-526: Was ahead of the 2008–09 season, where Gretna 's demise allowed Annan Athletic to take their place. Overall, the structure of men's football in Scotland was among the most fractured and multi-faceted in Europe , being unique in having a plurality of adult male governing bodies (with Seniors, Juniors, Amateurs and Welfarers - see below). It was not uncommon for a given town or county to have clubs in as many as three or four separate systems. Moves towards creating
2254-471: Was despite the club being based in Scotland, albeit very close to the Anglo-Scottish border . They remained in this league for all but one season until 1982, when the club moved to the newly created Second Division of the Northern League . The club won this league and were promoted immediately, before back-to-back championship wins in the First Division, in 1990–91 and 1991–92, resulted in their promotion to
2303-560: Was founded in 1946 by local workers and servicemen returning from the Second World War . Former professional footballer James Kerr was one of the club's founders and as part of the club's committee, his opinion held sway when picking the team. The club initially played in the Dumfries and District Junior League. The following year, the club moved to the Carlisle and District League. This
2352-2184: Was founded, and from 2014 to 2021 the leagues below (tier 6) began to be incorporated as each joined the system. For each division, its official name, number of clubs, number of games, and promotion/relegation spots are given: Scottish Premiership 12 clubs playing 38 games ↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 relegation playoff spot Scottish Championship 10 clubs playing 36 games ↑ 1 promotion spot + 3 promotion playoff spots ↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 relegation playoff spot Scottish League One 10 clubs playing 36 games ↑ 1 promotion spot + 3 promotion playoff spots ↓ 1 relegation spot + 1 relegation playoff spot Scottish League Two 10 clubs playing 36 games ↑ 1 promotion spot + 3 promotion playoff spots ↓ 1 relegation playoff spot Highland Football League 18 clubs playing 34 games ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot ↓ 1 relegation playoff spot Lowland Football League 18 clubs playing 34 games ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot ↓ 1 relegation spot 20 clubs playing 28 games ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot 12 clubs playing 22 games ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot 16 clubs playing 30 games ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot ↓ 2 relegation spots + 1 relegation playoff spot 16 clubs playing 30 games ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot ↓ 3 relegation spots 12 clubs playing 22 games ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot 16 clubs playing 30 games ↑ 1 promotion playoff spot ↓ 3 relegation spots 15 clubs playing 28 games ↑ 2 promotion spots + 3 promotion playoff spots 16 clubs playing 30 games ↑ 3 promotion spots ↓ 3 relegation spots 16 clubs playing 30 games ↑ 3 promotion spots ↓ 3 relegation spots 15 clubs playing 28 games ↑ 3 promotion spots ↓ 2 relegation spots 16 clubs playing 30 games ↑ 3 promotion spots ↓ 3 relegation spots 11 clubs playing 30 games ↑ 3 promotion spots 16 clubs playing 30 games ↑ 3 promotion spots ↓ 3 relegation spots 16 clubs playing 30 games ↑ 3 promotion spots The leagues below level four are classed as " non-league football ", meaning they are outside
2401-486: Was owed nearly £600,000 in total, and it was their threat to wind up the company that precipitated Gretna's move into administration. On 8 May, the administrator set a deadline of 17 May for a buyer to be found, or the club would be liquidated . After that deadline passed without a buyer making a firm offer, all the remaining employees were made redundant, but it was reported that the club were still negotiating with an interested buyer. On 29 May, Gretna were relegated to
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